Community applauds Masrur's victory
 
 WASHINGTON, Dec 30 (APP)- Houston witnessed a large gathering of Pakistan-American community recently to celebrate victory of MQM-led  campaign that led to victory of Masrur Javed Khan in the elections to the City of Houston. The gathering held under the auspices of Pakistan- American Society of Texas (PAST) to record "MQM's efforts" and reaffirm support for the Councilman-Elect, who takes oath of office on January 2, says an MQM press release.

Those attending the gathering included P.A.S.T's president Saeed  Gaddi, president, Pakistani-Americans of Greater Houston (P.A.G.H),  Ghulam Bombaywala, MQM Houston’s incharge Syed Najmi, Muslim League’s Representative Mini bhai, President of Karachi University Alumni, editors from Pakistan Journal, Pakistan Times, Pakistan Chronicle and various other individuals and organizations from greater Houston area, besides the Councilman-elect. "They acknowledged MQM's efforts in setting a new standard of  public service through entering into the mainstream politics in USA," press release said, citing efforts made by MQM's Central Organizer for USA, Ibad U. Rehman, who was earlier greeted by the Councilman-elect. Speaking at the occasion, Masrur Khan thanked MQM USA for it's  all out support in the city elections. It was MQM USA, which encouraged him to run for the office and win. He referred to his affiliation with MQM, and said he has been attending MQM's meetings since last over  eight years. "I have always found this organization most progressive,  energetic and patriotic Pakistani organization in USA." Ibad U. Rehman thanked all individuals and organizations lending  support to MQM's initiative, and pledged that the party would support all Pakistani candidates running for an office in the United States "irrespective of their cast, creed and religion as long as they qualify on the character and moral criteria set by Quaid-e-Tehrik Altaf Hussain."

Mr. Rehman stressed the need for promoting co-existence and refraining from mudslinging. MQM, he said was not interested in local  inter or intra-organizational politics of Houston. However, being an organization of significant influence in Houston's Pakistan community, MQM would always be available to mediate between them in order to  resolve their disputes and differences. He asked the people to treat Masrur Khan as a representative of hundreds of thousands of Pakistani-Americans nomore only a  representative of MQM. He asked Masrur Khan to stick to his program  of curbing the crime and enhancing city amenities. Mr. Rehman said that if Khan succeeds in delivering what he had  promised, MQM would encourage him to re-run for the second term. While responding to Masrur Khan's request to Central Organizer  to attend his oath taking ceremony on Jan 02, 2004, Central Organizer promised him that either him or Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui would represent MQM at the ceremony.Earlier, President P.A.S.T, Mr. Saeed Gaddi presented welcome address.
APP--kr/